Pakistan probe team at Pathankot air base; Protest by Congress, AAP

Pathankot: A five-member Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) accompanied by Indian officials today visited the "sanitised" areas at Pathankot airforce base in connection with probe into the January 2 terror attack targeting the strategic installation.

The team, which came in a bus, was taken to the backside of the air base as workers of Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress held protests outside against its visit.

The Pakistani team led by Punjab's Additional Inspector General of Police, Counter Terrorism Department, Muhammad Tahir Rai earlier landed at Sri Guru Ramdas International Airport in Amritsar and then left for Pathankot by road amid tight security.

A large number of security personnel, including Punjab Police SWAT team, were also deployed in view of the visit. Officials said the JIT visited the sanitised areas of the IAF base where the attackers had sneaked into leading to the over 80-hour gun battle that left at least four terrorists and seven security personnel.

Protesters carrying placards and black flags shouted slogans outside the base where the security forces have been deployed in strength.

The AAP and Congress protesters accused the BJP led government of hurting the sentiments of Indians by allowing Pakistan team to probe terror attack on Indian soil.

AAP's Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra, who was also in Pathankot, said allowing Pakistani JIT to visit the air base was "shameful and disgusting".

"For the first time in 35 years, we are saying that ISI was not supporting terrorism... the same people who have killed our people have come here...this is so shameful and disgusting," Mishra said.